Terzolle

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Terzolle is a small stream in Tuscany, near Florence. It starts near Cercina, a few kilometers north of Florence. For about 1.5 kilometers it flows to Serpiolle, where it meets the Terzollina stream. Two streets, Via del Mulino and Via Nuova del Mulino, mark the confluence.

The Terzolle crosses the Rifredi district, whose name comes from the cold water of the Terzolle, sometimes called Rio freddo, which can be very cold in winter (5–6 °C). After Ponte di Mezzo it joins the Mugnone at Ponte di San Donato. From there the waters continue as the Mugnone, which eventually joins the Arno near Ponte all’Indiano. Originally the Terzolle flowed directly into the Arno near Ponte alla Vittoria.

In recent years the city stretch of the stream has suffered environmental neglect, threatening a watercourse that has long been important to the Rifredi area and its history of floods.

The name Terzolle dates back to Roman times, when Florentia’s third mile lay to the north. Nearby, a protected local natural area called ANPIL Terzolle was proposed in 2004. It would cover about 1,927 hectares across Florence, Vaglia and Sesto Fiorentino, on the east side of Monte Morello at about 500 meters above sea level. The area would preserve Mediterranean forests and rural land with buildings and crops, including cypresses and olive trees.